Letters: Scott Peters, S.D. mayoral race, power plant and more

Question to candidate remains unanswered

In its endorsement of Rep. Brian Bilbray for Congress, the U-T took issue with his position on immigration reform (“Bilbray for Congress: The economy demands it,” Editorial, Sept. 21). However, it is Bilbray’s opponent, Scott Peters, who is the real hypocrite on the issue.

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In an interview with KUSI-TV during the primary election night in June, Peters indicated that he favored immigration reform, which included a “crackdown on employers.” In a written inquiry to Peters on June 19, I asked if that meant he would support requiring employers to utilize the currently established E-Verify system, as is being done in many other states.

E-Verify is an Internet-based system that allows businesses to determine the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States by comparing an employee’s Social Security number and other information against millions of government records. The program generally provides results within five seconds.

The federal government requires federal contractors to use E-Verify, and according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, approximately 96.9 percent of all cases queried through the process are automatically found to be authorized for employment. The remaining 3.1 percent result in a mismatch or tentative non-confirmation. Only 0.3 percent of tentative non-confirmations are successfully contested, with the remaining 2.8 percent either being unauthorized to work in the U.S. or uncontested.

Unfortunately, California has prohibited all jurisdictions within the state from requiring private employers to use E-Verify in most instances, which has perpetuated illegal hiring practices. It has also resulted in a burgeoning underground economy, costing California about $7 billion annually in lost tax revenues, as well as undercutting employers that play by the rules.

Having failed to receive a reply to my initial inquiry to Peters, I sent a follow-up on July 17. Again, he declined to respond.

Peters apparent indifference to inquiries from constituents, as well as support of ethical employers, employees, and state taxpayers, should give pause to anyone considering voting for him to serve as their elected representative. – Jim Redhead, San Diego

Insinuations fly in S.D. mayoral race

Thank you for documenting the false accusations against mayoral candidate Carl DeMaio by Bob Filner. Not content to insult voters who overwhelmingly approved the pension reform ballot initiative by calling it “a fraud,” Filner show us once again why politicians are held in such low esteem by the public.

It’s probably true that Filner isn’t trying to make an issue of his opponent’s sexual identity (“For LGBT community, complex dynamics at play in mayor’s race,” Sept. 19). But the same can’t be said for his attempts to ascribe to DeMaio attitudes about the gay community held by some of DeMaio’s contributors. This sort of tactic comes directly from the playbook of one infamous senator from Wisconsin. – Doug Bell, Rancho Peñasquitos

James F. Smith (Letters, Sept. 17) cites Carl DeMaio’s 2007-11 tax returns to insinuate that Carl’s donations to his own campaign are special interests.

Carl has demonstrated leadership in managing his companies and as a [City] Council member. The founding fathers’ writings make it clear that they envisioned successful businessmen would contribute their leadership by service to government. Carl believes in himself and wants the job. We are fortunate that he does.

Filner has not released any tax or financial information. We wonder how much he contributes to his campaigns, and what comes from organized labor. Union leaders (not members) decide which candidates receive member contributions. That’s proven to be big special-interest contributions in city elections. – Lee Bolt, San Diego

Denial of power plant application on agenda

On [Sept. 24] at 2 p.m., the [San Diego] City Council is taking testimony and hearing argument regarding San Diego Gas & Electric Co.’s appeal of a denial of its application to the San Diego Planning Commission to rezone open space adjacent to Mission Trails Regional Park. SDG&E wants to build a new natural-gas power plant.

Why would the city of San Diego want to move backward in our efforts to improve water and air quality for our children’s sake? This plant is not needed to support the needs of the community. We should look to the future and support more rooftop and parking lot solar panels. – Kristie Bircumshaw, San Diego

A few thoughts on the government contribution to the San Diego County Arts Community (“The state of arts funding in San Diego,” Sept. 16):

The total government contribution declined by 4%, a baby step in the right direction.

Last year, attendees at the Old Globe Theatre paid $47 per attendance and the government added $2, this year attendees paid $51 and government added $3. Maybe next year playgoers can step up and pay the full cost less, of course the approximately $30 per attendee contributed by the county’s generous private patrons.

In the aggregate, if government had spent the $5 million on a governmental function, say pothole repair, the arts community profit would have been $4 million instead of $9 million.

Admittedly, these amounts are puny in the total scheme of government but, they are indicative of the little regard politicians have for our money. Keep this in mind in November and vote “no” on Proposition 30. – Jim Mallen, Lake San Marcos

Multiple servings of obesity irony

[The top of Wednesday’s] front page teases us with mouthwatering photographs of freshly baked cookies. Flip to Page A8 and two articles related to California’s skyrocketing obesity and elevated levels of BPA [bisphenol A] in obese children.

Diabetes and obesity account for millions of tax dollars and thousands of deaths every year. The cookie recipes in todays food section all contain two sticks of butter and copious mounds of white and brown sugar.

The U-T should be more progressive and list nutrition facts of those recipes accompanied by a picture of an obese person and a warning similar to cigarettes. – Kyle Stovel, San Diego

There’s no dishonor in leaving Afghanistan

In response to “Afghan insider attack kills four U.S. troops” (Sept. 17): Would someone please explain to me why, considering the frequency of so-called “green-on-blue attacks,” wherein Afghans we’re supposed to be training to take over security operations turn their weapons on the trainers, we remain in this benighted country?

I say we get out now and let the Afghans themselves figure out how to secure the place. Their security is not our business. Even if we stay in Afghanistan for 20 more years, the minute we withdraw the situation will instantaneously deteriorate.

For those who would argue that withdrawing now will somehow dishonor the memory of those of our personnel who have already been killed in Afghanistan, I point out that by that logic, perfect honor will be attained only when all our personnel are slain by the people they are trying to help. – Conway Redding, La Mesa

1930s ‘appeasement’ is remembered

In response to “Protests erupt in Muslim world” (Sept. 16): At 10 years old while at the movies, a Movietone newsreel showed the British prime minister deplane and proclaim that his visit to see Hitler was very satisfying, as Hitler told him the he would not invade any more countries. Then Neville Chamberlin said the following: “There would be peace in our time.”

The policy this administration is following [in dealing with] Muslim countries amounts to one and the same, called “appeasement.” Sadly, many Americans seem to have forgotten that word. Have the 1930s returned? – Kelley Corn, Carlsbad